United States Eventing Association

The USEA is saddened to learn of the passing of dedicated eventing volunteer Dr. William H. Henry on Aug. 14. He was 95.

Born to Helen Josephine (Wright) and Harry John Henry, Dr. Henry was known to his friends and family as Bill. A proud lifelong fourth generation Fresno resident, he graduated from Fresno High School and Fresno State University, then attending the University of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco and graduated with a degree in dentistry in 1957.

Upon graduation, he worked as a dentist in the U.S. Navy stationed in the Philippines, before returning to Fresno and setting up his dental practice in Sanger, California. Highly regarded for his expertise, Dr. Henry loved being a dentist and finally retired at age 74. He met his wife Loris Henry on a blind date, and they married in Australia. Loris served as the first female president of the USEA, then known as the USCTA, from 1999-2001.

A kind, warm and generous man, Dr. Henry had a love of sailing and fly-fishing, Huntington Lake and Porsches. He was a horse husband and father, and his enthusiasm and endless volunteer work at events on the West Coast will be fondly remembered by all his friends and family.

Dr. Henry committed countless hours as a volunteer to Area VI eventing activities including the Ram Tap Horse Trials (Fresno, California), Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Montana), and Galway Downs (Temecula, California). He was also a regular fixture for many years as a volunteer at the Kentucky Three-Day Event.

After 57 years of marriage, Dr. Henry is survived by his wife and two daughters Michelle and Suzanne, as well as his niece and nephew Kay Soares and Cal Walter (children of his sister Patricia and brother-in-law Robert who predeceased him), and Angus, Lachlan and Cassandra (children of brother-in-law Neil and wife Margaret).

In lieu of flowers, consider donating in his memory to the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department: www.hlvfd.org.